Tropical Fruit Compote

• 3/4 C water
• 1/2 C sugar
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 piece lemon peel
• 1/2 tsp rum or vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 pineapple, cored, peeled,cut into 8 slices
• 2 mangos, peeled, pitted, cut into 8 pieces
• 3 bananas, peeled, cut into 8 diagonal pieces to taste fresh mint leaves (optional)

1. In saucepan, combine 3/4 cup of water with sugar, lemon juice, and lemon peel (and rum or vanilla extract, if desired). Bring to boil, then reduce heat and add fruit. Cook at very low heat for 5 minutes.
2. Pour off syrup into cup.
3. Remove lemon rind from saucepan, and cool cooked fruit for 2 hours.
4. To serve, arrange fruit in serving dish and pour a few teaspoons of